We can go before the Lord and lament from the depth of our heart....honestly, completely, authentically.

We can write out our lament. We can tell the Lord how we're feeling and what we wish He would do for us.

We can lament verbally by reading a Psalm.

Psalm 13 is a beautiful example of a lament. It is very honest and direct to the Lord: "How long, O Lord?" And it ends with a declaration to trust in God: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he had been good to me."

Next to Psalm 13 I have these dates written: 6.1.08 and 2.20.11

In 2008 I was lamenting that we were without children. And now in 2011 I am lamenting our season of unemployment.

I read that more than half of the Psalms are lamenting Psalms so we can learn much from Scripture about the practice of lamenting.

Hannah gives us examples of lamenting in 1 Samuel. It tells us she poured out her soul to the Lord...in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.....she had been praying out of her great anguish and grief.

Author Ginger Garrett says, "When the answer is no the Bible instructs
us to praise him, pour out our hearts to him...and to wait."

8 comments:

What a wonderful post. After 6 and a half years of trying and 2 miscarriages I have done much lamenting before the lord. And now I pray that he will change my will to be In line with his. He has transformed my heart because of his unfailing love. It is good to be reminded that he is always there no matter our circumstances.

One of my favorite books is "Lament for a son" by Nicholas Wolterstorff (he's from Edgerton by the way). He wrote this beautiful lament as his way of struggling with his son's death (rock climbing accident). It's a short book but unbelievable beautiful and healing. I can't read it without crying... but a cry that heals.

This is THE answer I've been searching for! I've been struggling with bitterness over my infertility and feeling hurt and angry that I'm not a mom yet.THANK YOU! I now have direction for prayer and a change of heart!

I think it's really interesting how after Jesus's resurrection, his disciples only recognized him by his wounds. He didn't lose those marks in his hands and his feet... and they identified Him. There is a beauty in that... I wonder if He too, will recognize us someday by our wounds. His wounds heal, maybe ours do too?

In Its Time

I am a wife, a mother and a saved-by-grace writer who is learning to rest in the truth that He makes everything beautiful in its time. I write about the One whose timing and ways and plans I do not understand, but who gives joy in the midst of waiting and brings beauty out of ashes.